WAWC Healthcare Brings Tuscaloosa Together to Celebrate Breastfeeding

The community is invited to join WAWC Healthcare this Saturday, August 29, from noon to 3 p.m. for its Cultural Celebration of Breastfeeding & Global Communities of Care at the New Heights Community Center, 3834 21st St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.

At the heart of the free community event is the belief that new parents deserve more than an abundance of advice and opinions. It offers an opportunity to explore the practices, nutrition, traditions, and techniques different cultures have used to support the baby, parent, and family as a whole.

“This event matters to me because it reminds us that, in a world where people and experiences are different,” said Tamela Hughes-Lawson, LPC, Director of Mental Health & Program Innovation at WAWC Healthcare. “There are so many ways to support a family throughout their breastfeeding, perinatal, and postpartum journey.”

Families will have an opportunity to explore diverse cultural perspectives that are not always highlighted in traditional conversations about breastfeeding and perinatal care. The event will also connect attendees with local organizations offering support throughout pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the postpartum period.

The press release said that “WAWC Healthcare invites families, parents, expectant parents, healthcare professionals, students, advocates, and community members to attend, learn, ask questions, connect with local resources, and experience the many ways cultures care for and support families throughout breastfeeding and the perinatal journey.”

What to Expect

Area Resources

• Approximately 10 Community Organizations Participating Through Cultural and Resource Tables

Two Panel Conversations

• “It Takes a Village: Building the Support Families Deserve,” which addresses the “available resources, culturally responsive support, gaps in care, and what an optimal system could look like, said the press release.
• “From the Village: Real Stories of Feeding, Motherhood & Postpartum,” centered around “experiences and provide space for parents to share their perspectives on feeding, postpartum recovery, culture, family support, and navigating the postpartum journey,” said the press release.

Collaboration with Community Partners

• Trendle Samuel of Back 2 Basics Breastfeeding Support Services
• Dr. Joy Bradley, PhD, MFT, Andrea Hayes, LICSW of the Tuscaloosa Latino Coalition
• Tamela Hughes-Lawson, LPC of WAWC Healthcare.

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The goal of Cultural Celebration of Breastfeeding & Global Communities of Care is to create an impact that continues beyond the community event. Families will learn more about available resources and cultural practices, while healthcare professionals, clinicians, and students gain insight into their experiences.

“These are times when more intention and connection are needed. Outside of a few doctor’s appointments, the experience can feel very isolating,” said Hughes-Lawson. “No one should feel alone at any point in their life, but especially during a season that can hold so much change, vulnerability, and joy.”